Hanover, WIC sign agreement
to lease space

The Hanover Town Council on Tuesday signed a lease contract with New Hope Services that will bring the Women, Infant and Children program to Hanover.

The company will pay $1,248 to the town each month for rental space at the Hanover Community Center. The rent is determined by state funding, and the deal will start as a three-year lease.

"They don't change locations once they get established," said town attorney Wil Goering. "They stay there for a long time."

The company, which operates WIC programs in surrounding counties, was awarded a state bid for the program last year. New Hope will rent out space at the Jefferson County Health Department until June 28, when it will move to Hanover.

WIC is a nutrition program that focuses on helping women, infants and children develop healthier eating habits, among other services. New Hope took over the WIC services in May.

Operating hours will be 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the health department, but the office will be closed on Wednesdays. The number will still be (812) 273-3942.

Once the organization moves to Hanover, the hours will change to 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Mondays and 9 a.m. 5 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

The new rental agreement helps solve a revenue problem that arose when OVO moved to Southwestern Schools at the start of this year.

"This is really helping them and the town out," said council president Debbie Kroger.

Also at the meeting, Bernie Murphy, interim director of the newly named Jefferson County Industrial Development Corp., shared his final quarterly report to the council. Murphy, who came out of retirement to take over for Corey Murphy last year, has been replaced by Nathan Hadley.

He said JCIDC has moved to a smaller board, revised its mission statement and elected a new president.

"We just wanted to send a signal to everybody, that we're really working on industrial development," he said.

So far this year, JCIDC has reached out to 13 companies and submitted proposals to 10.

Murphy said a project leader from a German company will meet with local economic development directors this week. Murphy also said that when the organization looks at opportunities, it tries to find what's best for the entire area.

"When we are pursuing opportunities, we don't differentiate between the town of Hanover, city of Madison or the county," he said.

President Debbie Kroger said Hanover had a representative on the board until recently, adding that Hanover was not informed when the representative was taken off the panel.

Kroger said she appreciates everything the board has done but again would like a representative from Hanover on the board in the future.

Speaking of Murphy, Kroger said he has been honest and "very supportive of us."

In other business:

 The town approved a request by Street Superintendent Scott Williams to spend $4,000 for upgrades to the infields of the softball and baseball diamonds and another $5,000 for improvements to the parking lot at the park.

The town has entered into a new contract with Southwestern Recreation Association, in which the organization will pay a yearly sum of $2,500 to use the park and concession stand.

 Dave Potter, of Gardner Insurance, presented the newest quotes for insurance coverage to the town. Kroger said the town will likely make a decision at its next meeting, which is scheduled later this month. The town's insurance renewal date is June 1.

 Jim West, administrator of Hanover Health and Rehabilitation, submitted a verbal proposal to have Hanover Health and Rehabilitation, Hanover College and the town of Hanover, enter a collective float into the Madison Regatta Parade.

 The town will move forward with the demolition of a house at 138 Ohio Ave. that has been determined unsafe. The council voted to proceed with the demolition after holding a public hearing. The house has been empty for about three years after being damaged by a fallen tree.